Worcestershire dogs get to find home at Meet the Dogs event

A Meet the Dogs event held by High Hopes Dog Rescue allowed families to meet its dogs in person to help them find a forever home.

Volunteers had brought a variety of dogs, many of which came from across the world, to The Cob House Countryside Park in Wichenford.

Volunteers Drea Hinton, Paula McDonald and Sarah Pittaway. (Image: Newsquest) The event features a range of dog-related stalls and has hosted its very first dog show. 

Drea Hinton, volunteer and organiser, said: "It makes us really proud because these dogs are overlooked the majority of the time, hence the reason they are in rescue. 

SHY: One of the dogs meeting a prospective family. (Image: Newsquest) "It is just people giving them a chance, which is really lovely to see.

"I think people overlook dogs like these because they assume they will be a lot of work or have behavioural issues, but all they need is someone to commit to them for life."

The Eaton family was at the event looking for a play pal for their rescue dog Suki. (Image: Newsquest) Several families were at the event today (Saturday) hoping to maybe one day take one of the dogs home with them.

Miss Hinton added: "It has gone quite well - we were really nervous because we have never done something as big as this before.

A range of stalls were also at the event today. (Image: Newsquest) "We host smaller Meet the Dogs days, which have a gazebo, a raffle, and the dogs here, but we had actually quite a few people turn up for the dog show today, which is really nice."

The rescue is run by founder Samantha Watson and volunteers Drea Hinton, Lou Turner, and Hayley Cartland.

Georgia Hipwell with Misha. (Image: Newsquest) High Hopes does not have a central location, as many dogs are in foster care with volunteers.

Many of the staff are based in Kidderminster, with some dogs also temporarily housed in kennels in South Wales.

Libby Sinden, a volunteer, said: "We have been doing our Meet the Dogs show for around four to five years.

SAY CHEESE: Visitors could have picture opportunities with the animals. (Image: Newsquest) "It is really important because we can get that presence with the public and hopefully find the dog's homes.

"This is also our first dog show, which helps us get much-needed funds as we rely heavily on donations."

High Hopes Dog Rescue was founded in August 2018, and operates as an international rescue, helping dogs from Romania, Bosnia, Macedonia, and Portugal.